Rabat – Moroccan forward Yassir Zabiri has been named in Sofascore’s Team of the Week for the fifth round of La Liga after another decisive performance for Racing Santander.
The 21-year-old received an 8.6 rating from Sofascore following his display against Deportivo Alavés, placing him among the standout performers of the round alongside some of the biggest names in Spanish football. His rating was higher than those recorded by Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham and Barcelona star Rodri, according to the team-of-the-week selection.
Zabiri’s inclusion comes after a performance that once again underlined his growing importance to Racing Santander.
Zabiri turns the game around
Racing Santander entered the fifth-round clash looking for another positive result after a mixed start to their return to Spain’s top flight.
Alavés initially took control when Ville Koski opened the scoring in the first half. Racing, however, responded through Zabiri, who found the net in the 38th minute after receiving a decisive pass from Iñigo Vicente.
The Moroccan forward struck again early in the second half to complete the comeback and give Racing a 2–1 victory at El Sardinero.
The result marked Racing’s second win of the season, while Alavés suffered its first defeat of the campaign.
Beyond his two goals, Zabiri was also Racing’s most dangerous attacking outlet during the match. His performance helped him earn the 8.6 Sofascore rating that ultimately secured his place among the best players of the round.
Five goals in five matches
The brace also continued an impressive start to Zabiri’s first La Liga campaign.
The Moroccan has now scored five goals in five league appearances, putting him among the competition’s leading scorers at this early stage of the season.
His latest goals also mean that Zabiri has scored in a remarkable run of matches and has quickly become one of the main attacking figures for the newly promoted Racing side.
The forward’s form has also attracted growing attention in Spain, particularly because of the consistency of his finishing. His two goals against Alavés were not simply late contributions to a comfortable victory. They directly changed the outcome of the match.
Read also: Yasser Zabiri Wins August Player of the Month at Racing Santander
From Morocco’s youth system to La Liga
Zabiri’s rapid rise is also the latest chapter in a career that has developed quickly.
The forward came through Morocco’s Mohammed VI Football Academy before beginning his senior career with Union Touarga. He later moved to Portugal, where he played for Famalicão, before continuing his career in Europe.
His performances with Morocco’s youth teams also established him as one of the country’s promising attacking talents. He was part of the Morocco U20 generation that made a strong impression on the international stage, further increasing expectations around his development.
Now playing in Spain, Zabiri has taken another step forward.
Sofascore currently lists him as a 21-year-old forward for Racing Santander, with a contract running until June 2027. The platform also records his latest match as the 2–1 victory over Alavés, where he received the 8.6 rating that placed him among the best performers of the round.
A major test against Barcelona
Zabiri will now face an even bigger challenge.
Racing Santander are scheduled to travel to face Barcelona on Wednesday, giving the Moroccan striker an opportunity to test his form against one of the strongest teams in the league.
Barcelona have also started the campaign strongly, making the encounter particularly interesting from Zabiri’s perspective. The match will put his scoring run against a defense competing at the highest level of Spanish football.
For now, however, his numbers speak clearly.
Five goals in five league matches, a decisive brace against Alavés, and an 8.6 Sofascore rating have placed Zabiri among La Liga’s most talked-about performers after five rounds.
The Moroccan forward is no longer simply a promising name to watch. He is becoming one of Racing Santander’s most important players, and his performances are beginning to attract attention far beyond El Sardinero.
